The Blues Foundationhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com
The Blues Foundation's mission is to preserve blues heritage, celebrate blues recording and performance, expand worldwide awareness of the blues, and ensure the future of the uniquely American art form. For more information and to become a member, visit www.blues.orgFri, 22 Sep 2017 16:07:59 -0600https://podbean.com/?v=3.2enCopyright 2017 All rights reserved.Music1440XYZ Blues Hall of Fame The Blues Foundation's mission is to preserve blues heritage, celebrate blues recording and performance, expand worldwide awareness of the blues, and ensure the future of the uniquely American art form. For more information and to become a member, visit www.blues.org.The Blues FoundationThe Blues Foundationblueshalloffame@bealestreetcaravan.comNoCleanhttp://deow9bq0xqvbj.cloudfront.net/image-logo/1581981/imageedit_1_5402056444.jpgThe Blues Foundationhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com
144144Blues Hall of Fame - 016 - Rufus Thomashttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-016-rufus-thomas/
http://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-016-rufus-thomas/#commentsFri, 22 Sep 2017 16:07:00 -0600bluesfoundationmusic blues americanaafrican americanfolkbluesfoundation.podbean.com/blues-hall-of-fame-016-rufus-thomas-24b00f90dd1700f333f1ee8f1a4eedd1We continue the series with the “world’s oldest teenager,” Rufus Thomas.

Rufus Thomas contained multitudes, as they say. His talents and the personality behind those talents knew no bounds.

Rufus’ professional career began at the age of six taking small roles in theatrical productions on Beale Street. As a teeneager he starred on the vaudeville and minstrel show circuits that criss-crossed the south. He was a singer, a dancer, a comedian, a radio DJ… and what’s truly incredible is that he excelled at all of those things.

From Beale Street to Sun Records to superstardom at Stax. Vaudeville, blues, rock n roll, soul. Even funk! Rufus did it all.

]]>We continue the series with the “world’s oldest teenager,” Rufus Thomas.

Rufus Thomas contained multitudes, as they say. His talents and the personality behind those talents knew no bounds.

Rufus’ professional career began at the age of six taking small roles in theatrical productions on Beale Street. As a teeneager he starred on the vaudeville and minstrel show circuits that criss-crossed the south. He was a singer, a dancer, a comedian, a radio DJ… and what’s truly incredible is that he excelled at all of those things.

From Beale Street to Sun Records to superstardom at Stax. Vaudeville, blues, rock n roll, soul. Even funk! Rufus did it all.

]]>We continue the series with the “world’s oldest teenager,” Rufus Thomas.
Rufus Thomas contained multitudes, as they say. His talents and the personality behind those talents ...
We continue the series with the “world’s oldest teenager,” Rufus Thomas.
Rufus Thomas contained multitudes, as they say. His talents and the personality behind those talents knew no bounds.
Rufus’ professional career began at the age of six taking small roles in theatrical productions on Beale Street. As a teeneager he starred on the vaudeville and minstrel show circuits that criss-crossed the south. He was a singer, a dancer, a comedian, a radio DJ… and what’s truly incredible is that he excelled at all of those things.
From Beale Street to Sun Records to superstardom at Stax. Vaudeville, blues, rock n roll, soul. Even funk! Rufus did it all.]]>The Blues FoundationCleanNo00:10:54Blues Hall of Fame - 015 - Sam Phillipshttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-015-sam-phillips/
http://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-015-sam-phillips/#commentsThu, 07 Sep 2017 10:04:58 -0600bluesfoundationmusic blues americanaafrican americanfolkbluesfoundation.podbean.com/blues-hall-of-fame-015-sam-phillips-24b00f90dd1700f333f1ee8f1a4eedd1We continue our series with one of the most electrifying individuals in the history of popular music, maverick producer Sam Phillips.

Sam was an audio engineer, a talent scout, a producer, a studio owner, and a record label owner. He approached all of these endeavors with unbridled enthusiasm, an unparalleled sense of showmanship, and keen understanding of the levers of human psychology.

In fact, Sam Phillips’ legacy was established long before Elvis walked through his front door.

This is his story.

]]>We continue our series with one of the most electrifying individuals in the history of popular music, maverick producer Sam Phillips.

Sam was an audio engineer, a talent scout, a producer, a studio owner, and a record label owner. He approached all of these endeavors with unbridled enthusiasm, an unparalleled sense of showmanship, and keen understanding of the levers of human psychology.

In fact, Sam Phillips' legacy was established long before Elvis walked through his front door.

This is his story.

]]>We continue our series with one of the most electrifying individuals in the history of popular music, maverick producer Sam Phillips.
Sam was an audio engineer, a ...
We continue our series with one of the most electrifying individuals in the history of popular music, maverick producer Sam Phillips.
Sam was an audio engineer, a talent scout, a producer, a studio owner, and a record label owner. He approached all of these endeavors with unbridled enthusiasm, an unparalleled sense of showmanship, and keen understanding of the levers of human psychology.
His "laboratory" (aka Memphis Recording Service) delivered groundbreaking efforts from B.B. King, Bobby Blue Bland, Rufus Thomas, Junior Parker, James Cotton, and countless others.
In fact, Sam Phillips' legacy was established long before Elvis walked through his front door.
This is his story.]]>The Blues FoundationCleanNo00:12:48Blues Hall of Fame - 014 - John Lee Hookerhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-014-john-lee-hooker/
http://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-014-john-lee-hooker/#commentsWed, 23 Aug 2017 22:17:54 -0600bluesfoundationmusic blues americanaafrican americanfolkhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-014-john-lee-hooker/Is there a bluesman more iconic than John Lee Hooker?

His face, his eyes, his austere silhouette on stage, that deep southern drawl, that one-chord boogie… everything about the man was distinct and original.

Where did it all come from? Like many bluesmen of his generation, he grew up in the country and didn’t have much use for school. He much preferred skipping class and practicing guitar. Yet John Lee wrote some of the most original and most influential blues songs of all time: Boogie Chillun, Boom Boom, One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer. And he crafted a completely unique sound along the way that continues to influence musicians to this day.

This is his story.

]]>Is there a bluesman more iconic than John Lee Hooker?

His face, his eyes, his austere silhouette on stage, that deep southern drawl, that one-chord boogie... everything about the man was distinct and original.

Where did it all come from? Like many bluesmen of his generation, he grew up in the country and didn’t have much use for school. He much preferred skipping class and practicing guitar. Yet John Lee wrote some of the most original and most influential blues songs of all time: Boogie Chillun, Boom Boom, One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer. And he crafted a completely unique sound along the way that continues to influence musicians to this day.

This is his story.

]]>Is there a bluesman more iconic than John Lee Hooker?
His face, his eyes, his austere silhouette on stage, that deep southern drawl, that one-chord ...
Is there a bluesman more iconic than John Lee Hooker?
His face, his eyes, his austere silhouette on stage, that deep southern drawl, that one-chord boogie... everything about the man was distinct and original.
Where did it all come from? Like many bluesmen of his generation, he grew up in the country and didn’t have much use for school. He much preferred skipping class and practicing guitar. Yet John Lee wrote some of the most original and most influential blues songs of all time: Boogie Chillun, Boom Boom, One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer. And he crafted a completely unique sound along the way that continues to influence musicians to this day.
This is his story.]]>The Blues FoundationCleanNo00:11:20Blues Hall of Fame - 013 - Roy Brownhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-013-roy-brown/
http://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-013-roy-brown/#commentsWed, 09 Aug 2017 15:34:33 -0600bluesfoundationmusic blues americanaafrican americanfolkhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-013-roy-brown/Roy Brown may be best known for writing the iconic, genre-warping song “Good Rockin’ Tonight.”

Brown had a hit with it, then it was re-recorded by his hero Wynonie Harris, who also had a hit with it. Just a few years after that, further cementing the songs rightful place in music history, Elvis Presley recorded the song for Sun Records.

But there was more to Brown than Good Rockin’. You know that powerful, quivering, pleading, shouting manner in which most of today’s great singers sing? We take it for granted these days but it wasn’t always like that.

That style of singing comes from the African American church. And when Roy Brown first brought that feel and phrasing to blues music, it was a social and cultural taboo.

That’s right, all that good rockin and all that soulful shouting that took over popular music can be traced back to the blues of Roy Brown.

This is [...]

]]>Roy Brown may be best known for writing the iconic, genre-warping song "Good Rockin’ Tonight."

Brown had a hit with it, then it was re-recorded by his hero Wynonie Harris, who also had a hit with it. Just a few years after that, further cementing the songs rightful place in music history, Elvis Presley recorded the song for Sun Records.

But there was more to Brown than Good Rockin'. You know that powerful, quivering, pleading, shouting manner in which most of today’s great singers sing? We take it for granted these days but it wasn’t always like that.

That style of singing comes from the African American church. And when Roy Brown first brought that feel and phrasing to blues music, it was a social and cultural taboo.

That’s right, all that good rockin and all that soulful shouting that took over popular music can be traced back to the blues of Roy Brown.

This is his story

]]>Roy Brown may be best known for writing the iconic, genre-warping song "Good Rockin’ Tonight."
Brown had a hit with it, then it was re-recorded by his ...
Roy Brown may be best known for writing the iconic, genre-warping song "Good Rockin’ Tonight."
Brown had a hit with it, then it was re-recorded by his hero Wynonie Harris, who also had a hit with it. Just a few years after that, further cementing the songs rightful place in music history, Elvis Presley recorded the song for Sun Records.
But there was more to Brown than Good Rockin'. You know that powerful, quivering, pleading, shouting manner in which most of today’s great singers sing? We take it for granted these days but it wasn’t always like that.
That style of singing comes from the African American church. And when Roy Brown first brought that feel and phrasing to blues music, it was a social and cultural taboo.
That’s right, all that good rockin and all that soulful shouting that took over popular music can be traced back to the blues of Roy Brown.
This is his story

Born McKinley Morganfield in 1913 in Issaquenna, MS, he grew up on the Stovall Plantation just outside of Clarksdale. There, young Muddy fell under the influence and tutelage of the travelling bluesmen that came to perform there. Bluesmen like the great Son House and the king of the delta blues himself, Robert Johnson.

Muddy moved to Chicago in 1943, taking with him his acoustic guitar and repertoire of delta blues songs and riffs. Feeling ignored by the crowds in the busy Chicago clubs, he traded in his acoustic for an electric guitar and the rest was history.

]]>We continue the series with the man who brought electricity to the blues, and the blues to the big city, Muddy Waters.

Born McKinley Morganfield in 1913 in Issaquenna, MS, he grew up on the Stovall Plantation just outside of Clarksdale. There, young Muddy fell under the influence and tutelage of the travelling bluesmen that came to perform there. Bluesmen like the great Son House and the king of the delta blues himself, Robert Johnson.

Muddy moved to Chicago in 1943, taking with him his acoustic guitar and repertoire of delta blues songs and riffs. Feeling ignored by the crowds in the busy Chicago clubs, he traded in his acoustic for an electric guitar and the rest was history.

]]>We continue the series with the man who brought electricity to the blues, and the blues to the big city, Muddy Waters.
Born McKinley Morganfield in ...
We continue the series with the man who brought electricity to the blues, and the blues to the big city, Muddy Waters.
Born McKinley Morganfield in 1913 in Issaquenna, MS, he grew up on the Stovall Plantation just outside of Clarksdale. There, young Muddy fell under the influence and tutelage of the travelling bluesmen that came to perform there. Bluesmen like the great Son House and the king of the delta blues himself, Robert Johnson.
Muddy moved to Chicago in 1943, taking with him his acoustic guitar and repertoire of delta blues songs and riffs. Feeling ignored by the crowds in the busy Chicago clubs, he traded in his acoustic for an electric guitar and the rest was history.]]>The Blues FoundationCleanNo00:12:57Blues Hall of Fame - 011 - Louis Jordanhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-011-louis-jordan/
http://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-011-louis-jordan/#commentsWed, 12 Jul 2017 16:29:49 -0600bluesfoundationmusic blues americanaafrican americanfolkhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-011-louis-jordan/No one had more fun than Louis Jordan. You can hear it in his music. As “King of the Jukebox”, his high energy, hip-shaking “jump blues” enjoyed the kind of crossover success people once considered unimaginable. In his heyday, Jordan had at least 4 hits that sold over a million copies.

Just a poor kid from the cotton fields of Brinkley, Arkansas, Jordan developed a highly efficient approach to music. He stripped the 15-piece jazz orchestra down to five essential instruments, and kept those five instruments busy. He laced swing with boogie-woogie, brought in the electric guitar (and later the electric organ), and at the end of the day, what do you think he ended up with?

That’s right…. [...]

]]>No one had more fun than Louis Jordan. You can hear it in his music. As “King of the Jukebox”, his high energy, hip-shaking “jump blues” enjoyed the kind of crossover success people once considered unimaginable. In his heyday, Jordan had at least 4 hits that sold over a million copies.

Just a poor kid from the cotton fields of Brinkley, Arkansas, Jordan developed a highly efficient approach to music. He stripped the 15-piece jazz orchestra down to five essential instruments, and kept those five instruments busy. He laced swing with boogie-woogie, brought in the electric guitar (and later the electric organ), and at the end of the day, what do you think he ended up with?

That’s right…. Louis Jordan gave us rock n roll.

This is his story.

]]>No one had more fun than Louis Jordan. You can hear it in his music. As “King of the Jukebox”, his high energy, hip-shaking “jump ...
No one had more fun than Louis Jordan. You can hear it in his music. As “King of the Jukebox”, his high energy, hip-shaking “jump blues” enjoyed the kind of crossover success people once considered unimaginable. In his heyday, Jordan had at least 4 hits that sold over a million copies.
Just a poor kid from the cotton fields of Brinkley, Arkansas, Jordan developed a highly efficient approach to music. He stripped the 15-piece jazz orchestra down to five essential instruments, and kept those five instruments busy. He laced swing with boogie-woogie, brought in the electric guitar (and later the electric organ), and at the end of the day, what do you think he ended up with?
That’s right…. Louis Jordan gave us rock n roll.
This is his story.]]>The Blues FoundationCleanNo00:12:02Blues Hall of Fame - 010 - Skip Jameshttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-010-skip-james/
http://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-010-skip-james/#commentsWed, 21 Jun 2017 17:16:53 -0600bluesfoundationmusic blues americanaafrican americanfolkhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-010-skip-james/It’s hard to believe that Skip James almost drifted into obscurity.

Like most enshrined in the Blues Hall of Fame, he was an absolute original. A genuine musical innovator.

These days Skip James is considered by many to be the greatest of the delta blues singers. His songwriting, vocal stylings, and otherworldy ability on the guitar and piano influenced everyone, including a young Robert Johnson.

But back in the 1930’s, when he was cutting records for Paramount, he didn’t look like he had much of a future ahead of him. The Great Depression wiped out his record label, so James gave it all up and went dormant for decades.

But re-discovered by music lovers in the 60’s folk revival, James 2nd act proved more powerful than his first.

This is his story.

]]>It's hard to believe that Skip James almost drifted into obscurity.

Like most enshrined in the Blues Hall of Fame, he was an absolute original. A genuine musical innovator.

These days Skip James is considered by many to be the greatest of the delta blues singers. His songwriting, vocal stylings, and otherworldy ability on the guitar and piano influenced everyone, including a young Robert Johnson.

But back in the 1930's, when he was cutting records for Paramount, he didn't look like he had much of a future ahead of him. The Great Depression wiped out his record label, so James gave it all up and went dormant for decades.

But re-discovered by music lovers in the 60's folk revival, James 2nd act proved more powerful than his first.

This is his story.

]]>It's hard to believe that Skip James almost drifted into obscurity.
Like most enshrined in the Blues Hall of Fame, he was an absolute original. A genuine ...
It's hard to believe that Skip James almost drifted into obscurity.
Like most enshrined in the Blues Hall of Fame, he was an absolute original. A genuine musical innovator.
These days Skip James is considered by many to be the greatest of the delta blues singers. His songwriting, vocal stylings, and otherworldy ability on the guitar and piano influenced everyone, including a young Robert Johnson.
But back in the 1930's, when he was cutting records for Paramount, he didn't look like he had much of a future ahead of him. The Great Depression wiped out his record label, so James gave it all up and went dormant for decades.
But re-discovered by music lovers in the 60's folk revival, James 2nd act proved more powerful than his first.
This is his story.

]]>The Blues FoundationCleanNo00:12:15Blues Hall of Fame - 009 - Little Richardhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-009-little-richard/
http://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-009-little-richard/#commentsFri, 09 Jun 2017 12:52:37 -0600bluesfoundationmusic blues americanaafrican americanfolkhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-009-little-richard/Little Richard has been awarded every honor an artist could want. He may be enshrined in every hall of fame across the globe. And he may actually have invented rock n’ roll, but blues was where his amazing journey began.

One of the greatest, most original, and most influential artists that has ever lived, Little Richard has been special from day one, and in this episode you’ll hear all about it. There can only be one Little Richard, and formative events of his life were just as unique.

This is his story.

]]>Little Richard has been awarded every honor an artist could want. He may be enshrined in every hall of fame across the globe. And he may actually have invented rock n' roll, but blues was where his amazing journey began.

One of the greatest, most original, and most influential artists that has ever lived, Little Richard has been special from day one, and in this episode you'll hear all about it. There can only be one Little Richard, and formative events of his life were just as unique.

This is his story.

]]>Little Richard has been awarded every honor an artist could want. He may be enshrined in every hall of fame across the globe. And he may actually have ...
Little Richard has been awarded every honor an artist could want. He may be enshrined in every hall of fame across the globe. And he may actually have invented rock n' roll, but blues was where his amazing journey began.
One of the greatest, most original, and most influential artists that has ever lived, Little Richard has been special from day one, and in this episode you'll hear all about it. There can only be one Little Richard, and formative events of his life were just as unique.

At age 13 she ran away from home to fend for herself on Memphis’ Beale Street. Fortunately for, she had prodigious musical talents far beyond her years and quickly adjusted to life as a street performer. Memphis Minnie was soon called upon to spread the blues far and wide as a performer in the Ringling Bros. “Greatest Show on Earth.”

She returned home in 1920 to a booming Beale Street and a thriving music industry built around blues music. She naturally became one of its brightest stars.

]]>There aren't too many stories in the blues lexicon like Memphis Minnie's.

At age 13 she ran away from home to fend for herself on Memphis' Beale Street. Fortunately for, she had prodigious musical talents far beyond her years and quickly adjusted to life as a street performer. Memphis Minnie was soon called upon to spread the blues far and wide as a performer in the Ringling Bros. "Greatest Show on Earth."

She returned home in 1920 to a booming Beale Street and a thriving music industry built around blues music. She naturally became one of its brightest stars.

]]>There aren't too many stories in the blues lexicon like Memphis Minnie's.
At age 13 she ran away from home to fend for herself on Memphis' ...
There aren't too many stories in the blues lexicon like Memphis Minnie's.
At age 13 she ran away from home to fend for herself on Memphis' Beale Street. Fortunately for, she had prodigious musical talents far beyond her years and quickly adjusted to life as a street performer. Memphis Minnie was soon called upon to spread the blues far and wide as a performer in the Ringling Bros. "Greatest Show on Earth."
She returned home in 1920 to a booming Beale Street and a thriving music industry built around blues music. She naturally became one of its brightest stars. ]]>The Blues FoundationCleanNo00:14:03Blues Hall of Fame - 007 - WC Handyhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/bhof-ep-0107-wc-handy/
http://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/bhof-ep-0107-wc-handy/#commentsThu, 11 May 2017 11:58:18 -0600bluesfoundationUncategorizedhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/bhof-ep-0107-wc-handy/This week we learn about the “Father of The Blues,” W.C. Handy.

Handy once said that he found his inspiration as a composer in the “sounds of the world around him” - nature, church, and the bustling city. His exquisitely trained ear and phonographic memory allowed him to recall and transcribe everthing he encountered. This ability paid off handsomely when Handy began tranlating the feel, scales, and phrasing of African American folk music into big band arrangements.

In 1909… infamous Memphis politician Boss Crump hired Handy to write a catchy song for his campaign. Sitting at Pee Wee’s Saloon on Beale Street, Handy wrote the song “Mr. Crump” later changing the name and publishing the song as “Memphis Blues,” ushering in a new era for popular music. It also launched Handy’s music publishing empire - positioning Handy as a crucial player in the formati [...]

]]>This week we learn about the "Father of The Blues," W.C. Handy.

Handy once said that he found his inspiration as a composer in the "sounds of the world around him" - nature, church, and the bustling city. His exquisitely trained ear and phonographic memory allowed him to recall and transcribe everthing he encountered. This ability paid off handsomely when Handy began tranlating the feel, scales, and phrasing of African American folk music into big band arrangements.

In 1909… infamous Memphis politician Boss Crump hired Handy to write a catchy song for his campaign. Sitting at Pee Wee's Saloon on Beale Street, Handy wrote the song "Mr. Crump" later changing the name and publishing the song as "Memphis Blues," ushering in a new era for popular music. It also launched Handy's music publishing empire - positioning Handy as a crucial player in the formative era of the modern music industry.

This is his story.

]]>This week we learn about the "Father of The Blues," W.C. Handy.
Handy once said that he found his inspiration as a composer in the "sounds of the ...
This week we learn about the "Father of The Blues," W.C. Handy.
Handy once said that he found his inspiration as a composer in the "sounds of the world around him" - nature, church, and the bustling city. His exquisitely trained ear and phonographic memory allowed him to recall and transcribe everthing he encountered. This ability paid off handsomely when Handy began tranlating the feel, scales, and phrasing of African American folk music into big band arrangements.
In 1909… infamous Memphis politician Boss Crump hired Handy to write a catchy song for his campaign. Sitting at Pee Wee's Saloon on Beale Street, Handy wrote the song "Mr. Crump" later changing the name and publishing the song as "Memphis Blues," ushering in a new era for popular music. It also launched Handy's music publishing empire - positioning Handy as a crucial player in the formative era of the modern music industry.
This is his story.]]>The Blues FoundationCleanNo00:12:27Blues Hall of Fame - 006 - BB Kinghttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-006-bb-king/
http://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-006-bb-king/#commentsThu, 27 Apr 2017 12:18:36 -0600bluesfoundationUncategorizedhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-006-bb-king/We continue this series with The King of The Blues, BB King. Born in 1925 on a cotton plantation near Itta Benna, MS, Riley Benjamin King found his muse early in the sacred sounds of rural, Pentacostal church.

First given a guitar by his mother’s cousin, famed blues man Bukka White, King soon traded the cruel world of cotton plantations and sharecropping for the excitement and opportunities of life in Memphis and on Beale Street. Never has it the phrase “and the rest is history” been more true.

One of the most important and influential people in the pantheon of American music, BB and his guitar Lucille will live on forever. This is his story.

]]>We continue this series with The King of The Blues, BB King. Born in 1925 on a cotton plantation near Itta Benna, MS, Riley Benjamin King found his muse early in the sacred sounds of rural, Pentacostal church.

First given a guitar by his mother's cousin, famed blues man Bukka White, King soon traded the cruel world of cotton plantations and sharecropping for the excitement and opportunities of life in Memphis and on Beale Street. Never has it the phrase "and the rest is history" been more true.

One of the most important and influential people in the pantheon of American music, BB and his guitar Lucille will live on forever. This is his story.

]]>We continue this series with The King of The Blues, BB King. Born in 1925 on a cotton plantation near Itta Benna, MS, Riley Benjamin King ...
We continue this series with The King of The Blues, BB King. Born in 1925 on a cotton plantation near Itta Benna, MS, Riley Benjamin King found his muse early in the sacred sounds of rural, Pentacostal church.
First given a guitar by his mother's cousin, famed blues man Bukka White, King soon traded the cruel world of cotton plantations and sharecropping for the excitement and opportunities of life in Memphis and on Beale Street. Never has it the phrase "and the rest is history" been more true.
One of the most important and influential people in the pantheon of American music, BB and his guitar Lucille will live on forever. This is his story.]]>The Blues FoundationCleanNo00:11:50Blues Hall of Fame - 005 - Gatemouth Brownhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-005-gatemouth-brown/
http://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-005-gatemouth-brown/#commentsWed, 12 Apr 2017 11:40:14 -0600bluesfoundationUncategorizedhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-005-gatemouth-brown/Was there ever another blues musician so proficient at so many styles and on so many different instruments? Gatemouth Brown was certainly one-of-a-kind. The genre defying artist’ career spanned 60 years, beginning the moment he filled in for an ailing T-Bone Walker in a Houston, TX nightclub, improvising a night’s worth of material to the crowd’s delight. Gatemouth won a Grammy in his lifetime, was nominated for five more, and took home eight Blues Music Awards. This is his story.
]]>Was there ever another blues musician so proficient at so many styles and on so many different instruments? Gatemouth Brown was certainly one-of-a-kind. The genre defying artist' career spanned 60 years, beginning the moment he filled in for an ailing T-Bone Walker in a Houston, TX nightclub, improvising a night's worth of material to the crowd's delight. Gatemouth won a Grammy in his lifetime, was nominated for five more, and took home eight Blues Music Awards. This is his story.]]>Was there ever another blues musician so proficient at so many styles and on so many different instruments? Gatemouth Brown was certainly one-of-a-kind. The genre defying ...The Blues FoundationCleanNo00:10:58Blues Hall of Fame - 004 - T-Bone Walkerhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-004-t-bone-walker/
http://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-004-t-bone-walker/#commentsWed, 29 Mar 2017 10:15:45 -0600bluesfoundationUncategorizedhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-004-t-bone-walker/This episode we learn about the electrified marvel that was Thibeaux Walker, or “T-Bone,” as he came to be known around the world. Walker was the original guitar hero of the blues, inspiring BB King, Chuck Berry, and Jimi Hendrix to pick up the guitar. He invented the modern guitar solo. As a pioneer of jump blues, and the man that introduced electricity to that genre, he innovated a sound that gave rise to the development of rock & roll.
]]>This episode we learn about the electrified marvel that was Thibeaux Walker, or "T-Bone," as he came to be known around the world. Walker was the original guitar hero of the blues, inspiring BB King, Chuck Berry, and Jimi Hendrix to pick up the guitar. He invented the modern guitar solo. As a pioneer of jump blues, and the man that introduced electricity to that genre, he innovated a sound that gave rise to the development of rock & roll.]]>This episode we learn about the electrified marvel that was Thibeaux Walker, or "T-Bone," as he came to be known around the world. Walker was ...The Blues FoundationCleanNo00:11:34Blues Hall of Fame - 003 - Memphis Jug Bandhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-003-memphis-jug-band/
http://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-003-memphis-jug-band/#commentsFri, 10 Mar 2017 13:29:12 -0600bluesfoundationUncategorizedhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-003-memphis-jug-band/Led by the enigmatic Will Shade, the Memphis Jug band was an ever-evolving collective sporting different, talent-packed lineups for every gig and every recording session. The group was on hand for the very first commercial recording session in Memphis, TN, and went on to record over 100 sides for Victor, Champion, and Okeh Records in their heyday.

Guitars, fiddles, kazoos, washtub bass, and ceramic jugs laid the foundation of their unique sound, but what drew the crowds and sold the records were their well-crafted songs full of witty hooks and choreographed call-and-response sections.

The Memphis Jug Band would often record under different aliases. Sometimes album cuts were credited to individulal members of the band - Will Shade, Hattie Hart, and Memphis Minnie. The band recorded gospel songs under an entirely different moniker - The Memphis Sanctified Singers.

The Memphis Jug Band popularized the jug band format, which evolved into the blues combo that [...]

]]>Led by the enigmatic Will Shade, the Memphis Jug band was an ever-evolving collective sporting different, talent-packed lineups for every gig and every recording session. The group was on hand for the very first commercial recording session in Memphis, TN, and went on to record over 100 sides for Victor, Champion, and Okeh Records in their heyday.

Guitars, fiddles, kazoos, washtub bass, and ceramic jugs laid the foundation of their unique sound, but what drew the crowds and sold the records were their well-crafted songs full of witty hooks and choreographed call-and-response sections.

The Memphis Jug Band would often record under different aliases. Sometimes album cuts were credited to individulal members of the band - Will Shade, Hattie Hart, and Memphis Minnie. The band recorded gospel songs under an entirely different moniker - The Memphis Sanctified Singers.

The Memphis Jug Band popularized the jug band format, which evolved into the blues combo that is the basis for most popular music today.

]]>Led by the enigmatic Will Shade, the Memphis Jug band was an ever-evolving collective sporting different, talent-packed lineups for every gig and every recording session. The ...
Led by the enigmatic Will Shade, the Memphis Jug band was an ever-evolving collective sporting different, talent-packed lineups for every gig and every recording session. The group was on hand for the very first commercial recording session in Memphis, TN, and went on to record over 100 sides for Victor, Champion, and Okeh Records in their heyday.
Guitars, fiddles, kazoos, washtub bass, and ceramic jugs laid the foundation of their unique sound, but what drew the crowds and sold the records were their well-crafted songs full of witty hooks and choreographed call-and-response sections.
The Memphis Jug Band would often record under different aliases. Sometimes album cuts were credited to individulal members of the band - Will Shade, Hattie Hart, and Memphis Minnie. The band recorded gospel songs under an entirely different moniker - The Memphis Sanctified Singers.
The Memphis Jug Band popularized the jug band format, which evolved into the blues combo that is the basis for most popular music today.]]>The Blues FoundationCleanNo00:11:51Blues Hall of Fame - 002 - Alberta Hunterhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-002-alberta-hunter/
http://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-002-alberta-hunter/#commentsThu, 23 Feb 2017 16:07:32 -0600bluesfoundationUncategorizedhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-002-alberta-hunter/We continue the series with the world’s first international blues superstar, Alberta Hunter.

Alberta Hunter was a singular talent. Born and raised in Memphis, TN, she began her professional singing career at age 11. By her late twenties, she’d fronted orchestras led by King Oliver and Louis Armstrong, and written “Down Hearted Blues”, a massive hit for Bessie Smith.

In the height of Jim Crow, and years before women in America had secured the right to vote, Alberta Hunter became the world’s first blues superstar by taking her talents to Paris and London, where she was received and revered as nothing less than musical royalty.

]]>We continue the series with the world’s first international blues superstar, Alberta Hunter.

Alberta Hunter was a singular talent. Born and raised in Memphis, TN, she began her professional singing career at age 11. By her late twenties, she’d fronted orchestras led by King Oliver and Louis Armstrong, and written "Down Hearted Blues", a massive hit for Bessie Smith.

In the height of Jim Crow, and years before women in America had secured the right to vote, Alberta Hunter became the world’s first blues superstar by taking her talents to Paris and London, where she was received and revered as nothing less than musical royalty.

]]>We continue the series with the world’s first international blues superstar, Alberta Hunter.
Alberta Hunter was a singular talent. Born and raised in Memphis, TN, she ...The Blues FoundationNoNo00:12:20Blues Hall of Fame - 001 - Robert Johnsonhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-001-robert-johnson/
http://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-001-robert-johnson/#commentsWed, 01 Feb 2017 13:56:03 -0600bluesfoundationUncategorizedhttp://bluesfoundation.podbean.com/e/blues-hall-of-fame-001-robert-johnson/We begin this series with the first artist to be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, Robert Johnson - King of the Delta Blues.

Johnson was hailed as a genius by those that knew him. His style and technique were so ahead of his time that almost a century later, his recordings still astonish listeners. His list of devotees include rock n roll royalty: Keith Richards, Eric Claption, and Bob Dylan, to name just a few.

]]>We begin this series with the first artist to be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, Robert Johnson - King of the Delta Blues.

Johnson was hailed as a genius by those that knew him. His style and technique were so ahead of his time that almost a century later, his recordings still astonish listeners. His list of devotees include rock n roll royalty: Keith Richards, Eric Claption, and Bob Dylan, to name just a few.

]]>We begin this series with the first artist to be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, Robert Johnson - King of the Delta Blues.
Johnson ...
We begin this series with the first artist to be inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame, Robert Johnson - King of the Delta Blues.
Johnson was hailed as a genius by those that knew him. His style and technique were so ahead of his time that almost a century later, his recordings still astonish listeners. His list of devotees include rock n roll royalty: Keith Richards, Eric Claption, and Bob Dylan, to name just a few.]]>The Blues FoundationCleanNo00:11:46